Waldorf Waves in New Era of Software and Eurorack Hardware

REMAGEN, GERMANY: high-quality synthesizer developer Waldorf is proud to announce new software for Mac, PC, and iOS alongside its first Eurorack module.

Having seriously succeeded in changing perceptions of what a serious iOS instrument can be thanks to unique sounds simply unachievable with any other synthesizer, Waldorf has responded to requests to make its award-winning Nave advanced wavetable synthesizer available on other platforms by introducing Nave for VST/AU/RTAS. Now this new Nave brings that notable Nave sound engine to your favourite DAW. Designers have optimised its great graphical user interface to work with the tried-and-tested computer combo of keyboard and mouse (or track pad) rather than touch screen surface technology, though nothing has been lost in translation. The featured-packed Nave comes pre-packed with superb sounds, ranging from spatial pads to vivid wavetable scans and cutting leads to solid basses, but, above and beyond that, also an abundance of incredibly imaginative sound worlds — many of them professionally produced by some of the top sound designers around. As a synthesizer thoroughbred at heart, Nave really represents a phenomenal playground for sound creation creativity. Its oscillators offer expanded wavetable functionality with elaborate editing facilities and an extremely effective speech synthesizer. Anyone at all familiar with Waldorf software instruments will immediately feel right at home with the typical Waldorf workflow where sound shaping modules are always directly accessible and all arpeggiator, envelopes, effects (Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, Reverb, Equalizer, Compressor), and Modulation Matrix management controls are only one push of a virtual button away. Edited highlights include two independent advanced wavetable oscillators per voice with saw, triangle, PWM, white and pink noise (and up to eight-oscillator Überwave); two ring modulators; multimode filter (with LP/ BP/ HP, 12 dB, and 24 dB settings); three envelopes; two LFOs; and much more besides. And besides its standard yet classy chromatic keyboard, Nave also includes innovative ‘blades’ and pads to control the sound in different ways. Why restrict yourself to iOS? The new Nave now lets you work wherever and however you want. Whether you’re Mac- or PC- based, desktop-bound or laptop-mobile, Nave gives your professional productions a truly cutting-edge sound.

The nw1 Wavetable Module represents Waldorf’s grand entrance into the popular Eurorack modular synth system format. It includes an advanced wavetable engine with independent control of spectral envelope and noisiness — just like Nave. Wavetable scanning is cyclic with optional modulation of travel speed, position, spectrum, and more besides. By providing the worshipped Waldorf wavetable set from the company’s classic (discontinued) Microwave and Wave synthesizers, this powder-coated, metal surfaced module will easily enrich any Eurorack modular synth system as a potently powerful sound source. Shrewdly, the nw1 Wavetable Module’s sound engine also allows for onboard creation of user wavetables via time domain multiple foldover analysis. Any sound source can be connected to the nw1 Wavetable Module via the In 1 CV (Control Voltage) input to transfer audio into a wavetable. And if that’s left you speechless then how about using its integrated speech synthesizer to translate typed text into wavetables (via a USB port with galvanic isolation)! Speaking of communicating with the outside world, two further CV inputs are also provided alongside a Gate input (for triggering wavetable travel and recording) and a main 1V/Oct CV input with Trim (for pitch control). The 32HP-width nw1 Wavetable Module comes complete with a Eurorack power connector (+/- 12V, 150mA), so it’s ready for action. Simply slot the nw1 Wavetable Module into any available space in an appropriately-equipped Eurorack modular synth system to take it to a higher levels of synthesis than ever before. But be warned: you’ll want to shout from the rooftops!

Back in the wonderful world of iOS, Waldorf has masterfully migrated its long-running Attack virtual drum and percussion soft synth that took the VST world by storm back in early 2001 to iPad 3 (Retina), iPad mini (1 and 2), and iPad Air (1 and 2) as iOS Attack. Its impressive sound engine is cleverly complimented by an integrated 16-step sequencer that is as fun to use as it is useful. iOS Attack offers 24 instruments — each entirely programmable through a stunning, touch- optimised user interface. Its oscillators are fat, the filter flexible, and envelopes lightning fast. Each drum sound can be enriched with one of four independent insert multi-effects with Delay, Equalizer, Drive, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, and Phrase Vocoder. Input lyrics, output song! Alter gender just as you’ve always wanted? Why not! Phrase vocoding technology apart, iOS Attack’s sound engine is also capable of producing powerful polyphonic synth/bass/lead sounds — perfect for creating full-blown backing sequences. Just like Nave, iOS Attack is a seriously in-depth musical instrument for iPads. It’s easy and fun for sure, but at its core it’s truly a sonic beast of an instrument, instrumental in inflicting out-and-out drum power — out of the tablet and into the walls!

Last but not least, tellingly, the classic Waldorf Edition has had a visual makeover, but its core values remain unchanged and unchallenged: the holy trinity of inspiring software instruments! PPG Wave 2.2V is a virtual reincarnation of its namesake cult classic, coming to prominence with the trailblazing PPG Wave series starting back in 1982. First resurrected in 1989 with the Waldorf Microwave, today it enjoys a new lease of life in virtual studios on Mac and PC computers. Classic wavetable synthesis is known for conjuring up the feisty analogue and digital hybrid sounds that have graced so many hit records over so many decades. Attack is a percussion synthesizer powered by an almighty analogue synth sound generator. It transports the trademark sounds of classic Eighties analogue drum machines and the progressive electronic club beats of the Nineties onwards and upwards into truly 21st Century production environments. As Attack computes all sounds in realtime, users can change any parameter directly. Aside from its radically revamped user interface, the new Waldorf Edition 2 version also brings an exceptionally expanded effects section (with Delay, Equalizer, Drive, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, and Reverb) into play. D-Pole completes the Waldorf Edition 2 lineup as a very versatile filter plug-in with five filter types (lowpass, bandpass, high pass, notch, and resonator), SAMPLE RATE reduction, RING MOD, OVERDRIVE (ranging up to +52 dB), and stereo delay — all in wondrous Waldorf quality, of course... just like all of its new software and hardware products!

Nave for VST/AU/RTAS and Waldorf Edition 2 are expected to ship during the second quarter of 2015 when they will be available to buy online directly from Waldorf via the Waldorf Shop (www.waldorfmusic-shop.de) or through the company’s global network of dealers and retailers for €149.00 EUR (including tax) and €69.00 EUR (including tax), respectively. The nw1 Wavetable Module is also expected to ship during the second quarter of 2015 when it will be available to buy through the company’s global network of dealers and retailers for €329.00 EUR (including tax).

Owners of Apple’s iPad 3 (Retina), iPad mini (Retina), and iPad Air (1 and 2) will be able to purchase and download iOS Attack online during the second quarter of 2015 from Apple’s App Store for €17.99 EUR (including tax).

The Waldorf name has been synonymous with high-quality synthesizers for 25 years; indeed, its innovative position in the electronic musical instruments marketplace dates back to 1989 with the release of the wavetable synthesis-based Microwave.This extraordinary reincarnation of the legendary PPGWave series — arguably amongst the most coveted high-end synthesizers of the early Eighties — was instrumental in bringing the dominance of Japanese and American synthesizers to an end.Waldorf continued this unique technology tradition with successive synthesizer releases ranging from the mightyWave — perhaps the most impressive, expressive, and user-friendly sound synthesis tool ever built — to raising the bar for virtual analogue synthesizers with the introduction of the popular Q series from 1999 onwards.The new Millennium saw the forward-looking company making a timely move into the brave new world of music software with the release of its first VST Instrument, PPG Wave 2.V alongside several more recent software releases like Largo and PPG Wave 3.V (soft synths) and Lector (vocoder). Subsequent successes in the high-quality hardware arena include the Blofeld synthesizer — forging sound and design into an unbeatable price/performance ratio in both desktop and keyboard versions — and Zarenbourg, a contemporary electric piano par excellence, as well as the cost-conscious Rocket (synthesizer), D-Pole (analogue filter), and Streichfett (string synthesizer) desktop modules. Meanwhile, Waldorf broadened its appeal further still by introducing Nave to transform any iPad into an advanced wavetable synthesizer. 2015 (and beyond) sees a slew of new high-quality synthesizers set to take the Waldorf name to the hands-on musical masses, whether working with hardware (including a welcomed move into the popular Eurorack modular synth system format) or software (including iOS).